The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-03-23

80 w ADAN 1LAJICh Il a
that offener. we shouldn't be hating each
other to-day If he had but kissed me in
the snow
The dismal train of thought was sud
denly broken by the discovery that one
Of her trinkets was missing. and Mrs.
Challoner was instantly on her knees.
Come and help me look for II, Parker
She cried 4 have lost my locket. Oh,
what shall do ," s. l have lost my
7 locket."
The excitement both Of mistress and
maid seemed considerably .aore than the
occasion required but only Madge her
self and the faithful soman who nursed
her when child. knew Of the serious
trouble such loss would entail
Gould you have dropped it outside
ma'am pr
Not possible the chain couldn't catch
on anything when had Hiy cloak fasten-
ed. No; it must be on the floor Do look
for it, Parker"
And look for it they did. but without
success, and when the long, fruitless
search was over the expression on the
girls face was very woebegone, indeed.
The mistress has lost her gold lock
ct whispered Parker, when John Chal-
Ioner came again to she door. It's my
belief, sir, that she dropped it on the door
of the carriage Can't you send some
body afterit, sir?'
What Iocket?7
The little gold one she always wears
round her neck explained the maid, re-
sardles- of the urgent Parker You are
not TO trouble Mr. Challone, which came
/ from behind her She Is fonder Of 1t
than Of anything else, sir; it seems a
+ pity it should be lost"
Parker" again broke in the pretty,
girlish voice, -I I desire that you viii not
trouble Mr. Challonerr
( The mans lips twitched involuntarily.
It seemed to him that his young wife
was only playing at dignity when she
+ preferred addressing her remarks TO HIM
I through the medium ola servant.
Don't be 50 foolish" he said peremp-
torily. "Of course I'll 20 after your lock
ct. Ionly came back to tell you that I
am afraid YOU will have TO spend several
{ hours mere. The snow ha broken down
the telegraph wires, 50 that the men can't
send on a message to the next place for
assistance They must wait until this
storm Is over and then get help from the
village to DIG out the train and clear the
lines. But Of course it will be the work
of good many hours
Thank you" said Nadge, meekly.
What Is the time?7
Nearly ten
He was turning away, whan something
in his wife's voice struck him, and be ne
entered the room. You are still cold
Wear this" he said shortly, rapidly un-
buttoning his fur-lined Goa; and in spite
of her remonstrances he wrapped itround
her, and then went hastily out into the
bitter night air.
Left alone, Madge leaned back in her
corner, and sat for a long time softly cry
ING to herself Being thoroughly unstrung
by terror and fatigue, she was Just in the
impassionabIe mood which made her
husbands little act Of kindness very pre-
.;r,g =, -, ..s MI ID, ~ ;r,r. rf.
thick, warm fur rs though cheating her
self into the belief that it was John him
self who was holding her. She remeu-
bered the time-it was during the hap
py weeks which followed the wedding
day-when she and John seemed to be all
in all to each other; but when they were
finally settled in the staid London house,
over which Miss Sarah's chilly influence
hung ike a pail, it had all been altered
then. John had gone back to his belov-
ed books, in apparent forgetfulness Of the
solitary little wife in the big drlwingroom
up stairs and if she proposed invading
his precincts, ii was only to be met with
Miss >arah's reproachful stare. and the
words Nv brother never allows even
me to disturb him" And then babys
birth, and-baby's death , In nervous
terror Of her own great grief the poor
young mother had flung herself into eve
" kind of dissipation, for the dead child
seemed harril; further from her than the
silent man who was buried in his books.
and to face her sorrow alone was more
than she could do Oh. dear the life
that henceforward would be lived apart.
might nave been 80 happy and the tears
flowed on.
Meanwhile Challoner had started for
the railway carnage The binding snow,
the iickering lantern, and the difficulty
Of picking his way made the short jour
ney ii long one but his busy wonder
ments made the time pass quickly For
the first time in his life John Challoner
was feeling curious. What made his
wife - fond of that particular locket9
What did it contain? He was still pom
dering on the mystery. when he reached
the carriage Parkerhad been right-the
little engraved locket lay open upon the
floor; but beside it lay something. at the
sight of which the mans heart gave q
great throb. A little curly head. pair
Of sweet blue eveA soft, uncertain voice
trying 10 stammer the word Mama r'
They all rose vividly before him as he
stood there with the tiny ring Of silky
brown hair lying on his open palm And
it was Madge who had cherished the
curl which his own lips had seemed 10
press 80 much oftener than had hers
Madge, who bad thought 10 keep the to-
ken that he had forgotten and since had
regretted 50 yainly Wen, before they
parted. he must ask hertohalye her treas
ure with him.
There were very tender memories stir
ring within him a. he plodded his way
slowly back TO the station. and when he
at last reached the little room his face
was very gentle, albeit very grave. Yes.
[ have it, Parker. Thank you. If you will
20 into the larger room / viii sit with
your mistress" he said in answer To the
maids anxious greeting and when he
and Madge were alone he pulled his chair
closer to hers, and began gnyely
Here l. your locketr